Monthly Archives: September 2014
Dra. Caridad Baldonado, 84
New FACLA News
October 01, 2014
Obituary
Dra. Caridad Baldonado, 84
Los Angeles—The Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) sadly announced the passing of Dra. Caridad Baldonado, 84 . She passed away last Sunday, September 28, 2014.
Dra. Caridad Baldonado is the better half of Dr. Jose Baldonado, two-term president of FACLA from 2002 to 2008.
Dra Caridad Baldonado studied medicine at UST in Manila and practiced medicine at her clinic at Santa Fe, Long Beach until her confinement from lingering illness for the last five years.
During eight years administration of Dr.Jose Baldonado, FACLA enjoyed a self-sustaining and self-reliant posture and managed without grants and support from city, country or federal government. And always by his side to support him was Dra.Caridad Baldonado, his loving wife.
Viewing Schedule and Services
The viewing days for the remains of Dra Baldonado are as follows;
Friday, October 3 at Cypress City Forest Lawn from 9;00 AM to 5 PM
Saturday, October 4 at Cypress City Forest Lawn from 12 noon to 9 PM
Sunday, October 5 from 12 noon to 6;00 PM
The wake services will be held at St.Ramon Catholic Church at Downey on Mondaya t 10;30 AM and the burial will be at Cypress City Forest Lawn after the wake.
For more information please contact FACLA c/o Claire Julian or Cording Dos Peublos at (213)484-1537 or visit our website at newfacla.org or email us [email protected]
Presidential Snub
Komunidad
September 29, 2014
Presidential Snub
By Arturo P. Garcia
When Malacañang on Sunday, September 28, denied accusations that President Benigno Aquino III deliberately snubbed a Filipino community in California during his trip to the United States last week, they actually confirmed the presidential snub of the Filipino-American community in the United States.
Former FQS activist and now Presidential Communications Secretary just rubbed the salt into the wounds by saying “LA (Los Angeles) was not in the itinerary from the start.”
Coloma even said. “ he was not aware of any plan for Aquino to visit Los Angeles.” further confirming the snub.
Just like any presidential spokesman, he made excuses, “We ask for their understanding. The President’s itinerary was quite hectic: 94 events in 11 days in 7 cities across continents and time zones,” he explained.
Former UP Student Council member Hermie Coloma was reacting to media reports that the Filipino-American community in Los Angeles was upset that Aquino did not take time to visit them despite dropping by a gun shop and a hamburger restaurant in San Francisco, also in California.
LA community leader Dr.Orly Cagampan was more brutally frank, “He was already there and he have time to visit a gun store to satisfy his hobby. He’s able to satisfy his stomach by going into [McDonalds] but the community was never given any sense to be with the president.”
US Pinoys for Good Governance President Rodel Rodis. A known Aqunio III supporter was more vocal and unapologetic when he said in a studio interview: “ that a meeting with Aquino would ( have) dispel notions that the president takes the contributions of overseas Filipino workers for granted.
While PNoy could have had as much right to go shopping for an hour and enjoy burgers before his flight as ordinary people do, this kind of stories just add insult to injury for Fil-Ams who felt the community had been snubbed by the President.
After all, the Fil-Ams have been the number one remitters of dollars to the Motherland, helping keep the Philippine economy afloat. They thought
Aquino should have at least appropriated time to meet with our kababayans here. He has not included the overseas Filipino community, any mention of them in his State of the Nation Address. That’s 12 million people who contribute at least $24 billion a year to the Philippine economy, and it’s not worth mentioning in his State of the Nation Address. Even a shout out that says we thank the sacrifices of the overseas Filipino community, anything like that, would be greatly appreciate,” Rodis said.
Arturo Garcia of the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) said in the news report that their group has been trying to invite the President since 2012 to visit the FACLA Hall, which is believed to be one of his father, Ninoy Aquino’s last public stops before his assassination.
Senator Ninoy Aquino Jr. spoke at FACLA on July 28, 1983, exactly lees than a month before he traveled to the Philippines and met his martyrdom at the hands of Marcos assassins at the Manila International Airport on August 23, 1983.
Austin Baul, president of FACLA, told Correspondent Steve Angeles on Balitang America, “Inisip natin ng ipangalan ito ng kanyang ama na papalanganan itong FACLA Ninoy Aquino Center o ng Kalayaan or Ninoy Aquino freedom center. Pero hindi nasagot ng mga email ko. Kung para dumaan sya sa lugar na ito,”
Another media man said” all emails to the President goes directly to the spam. That what happened to champion skater Martinez. When wrote the president. Maybe that’s what happened to Mr. Baul’s email to Malacanang.” To the laughter of the crowd.
Another media man told another story the last time Aquino III was in LA in 2012. “ we were all waiting for a promised press conference with the president for hours, just to be infomed that the press conference was cancelled because he just left the airport for Manila.”
But Coloma’s lame excuse was, “We ask for their understanding. The President’s itinerary was quite hectic: 94 events in 11 days in 7 cities across continents and time zones,” he explained.
Well, we may have to accept the fact the politicians always remember the Filipino American community during elections time. This is where they get donations of precious dollars for their campaign kitty. After the elections , when they got what they want they forget them
President BS Aquino III is no exception. He is a part of that general rule .
***
Aquino didn’t snub Filipinos in US—Palace
New FACLA News
September 28, 2014
Aquino didn’t snub Filipinos in US—Palace
President Benigno Aquino III talks to reporters during an interview in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. AP
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Sunday denied accusations that President Benigno Aquino III deliberately snubbed a Filipino community in California during his trip to the United States last week.
“LA (Los Angeles) was not in the itinerary from the start,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told INQUIRER.net.
Coloma was reacting to media reports that the Filipino-American community in Los Angeles was upset that Aquino did not take time to visit them despite dropping by a gun shop and a hamburger restaurant in San Francisco, also in California.
He said Aquino spent most of his short time in San Francisco meeting with business leaders.
“During the short period of time his plane was in San Francisco, the President met with leaders of two multinational companies on entertainment and banking who expressed interest in investing or expanding their current participation in the robust economy of our country,” Coloma explained.
The Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (Facla) told TFC’s “Balitang America” that they have long been trying to invite Aquino to their Facla Hall, which was one of the last places his father, the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., visited before he was assassinated.
But Coloma said he was not aware of any plan for Aquino to visit Los Angeles.
“We ask for their understanding. The President’s itinerary was quite hectic: 94 events in 11 days in 7 cities across continents and time zones,” he explained.
Upon Aquino’s return to the Philippines after his 12-day visit to Europe and the United States, he said he was able to secure $2.3 billion in pledged investments. During his speech, he said the highlight of his trip was meeting Filipinos living and working abroad and telling them about the improvements at home.
***
Kababayans react to PNoy’s ‘snubbing’ of the Fil-Am community
Kababayans react to PNoy’s ‘snubbing’ of the Fil-Am community
Published: September 27, 2014 | No Comments
“HE was already there and he have time to visit a gun store to satisfy his hobby. He’s able to satisfy his stomach by going into [McDonalds] but the community was never given any sense to be with the president,” Dr. Orlando Cagampan of Los Angeles told Balitang America Correspondent Steve Angeles.
This was a reaction I heard from a kababayan who felt “snubbed” by President Benigno Aquino III, despite community leaders’ request to have a dialogue with the Philippine president during his five-day visit to the United States to attend the UN Summit in New York.
The President’s snub was even more criticized after reports and even pictures came out that despite of his supposed tight schedule, PNoy made one final stop before getting on his flight back to the Philippines — a visit to Peninsula Guns and Tactical in San Bruno, Calif., which is located less than ten minutes away from San Francisco International Airport. And yes — there was a burger meal he shared with his entourage at the In and Out Burger in Millbrae, also very near the airport.
“I understand he was in town on some other business and that he’s an avid shooter, gun enthusiast, so he asked for a gun store and they picked us,” Jeff Downs of Peninsula Guns told Balitang America Correspondent Rommel Conclara.
It was Jeff Downs WHO assisted the president during his visit to the store. He said Aquino was not looking to purchase any weapons; rather he was looking for gun accessories.
Conclara said in his report that PNoy would not have been able to purchase a weapon at that moment because according to California law, there is a minimum ten day waiting period before one can purchase a gun, even for non-U.S. citizens.
“He was really interested in the EO tech optics for rifles,” said Downs. “I guess it’s really hard to get them in the Philippines, so he was able to get them here. Some of his members of his entourage were able to pick up some stuff too.”
Downs disclosed to Conclara that President Aquino bought optics, a range bag, eye and ear protection, and a safe.
“He spent a decent amount of money,” said Downs. “I don’t think it would be appropriate to say.”
According to Downs, PNoy spent about an hour in the shop browsing the store and talking about guns to the workers.
While PNoy could have had as much right to go shopping for an hour and enjoy burgers before his flight as ordinary people do, this kind of stories just add insult to injury for Fil-Ams who felt the community had been snubbed by the President. After all, the Fil-Ams have been the number one remitters of dollars to the Motherland, helping keep the Philippine economy afloat. They thought Aquino should have at least appropriated time to meet with our kababayans here.
US Pinoys for Good Governance President Rodel Rodis said in a Balitang America interview that a meeting with Aquino would dispel notions that the president takes the contributions of overseas Filipino workers for granted.
“He has not included the overseas Filipino community, any mention of them in his State of the Nation Address. That’s 12 million people who contribute at least $24 billion a year to the Philippine economy, and it’s not worth mentioning in his State of the Nation Address. Even a shout out that says we thank the sacrifices of the overseas Filipino community, anything like that, would be greatly appreciate,” Rodis said.
“We wanted to discuss the issue of TPS with him,” Rodis pointed out. He said a push from PNoy would be a big help towards obtaining temporary protected status that would grant deportation relieve to Filipinos affected by recent disasters in the Philippines.
Rodis lamented: “All it takes now is a call from him to Pres. Obama, urging Pres. Obama, especially in light of the recent typhoon — the devastation around the country,
Arturo Garcia of the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) said in the Balitang America report that their group has been trying to invite the President to visit the FACLA Hall, which is believed to be one of his father, Ninoy Aquino’s last public stops before his assassination.
“Inisip natin ng pangalan ito AMA na papalanganan itong FACLA Ninoy Aquino central ng Kalayaan or Ninoy Aquino freedom center Hindi na sagot ng email ko. Kung para dumaan sya sa lugar to,” Austin Baul, president of FACLA, told Correspondent Steve Angeles on Balitang America.
But then there are kababayans who were more forgiving of PNoy.
“The most important thing here is you have completed your mission. After your mission you should have time for your own personal thing also. Maybe go for a tour go visit a friend, relatives,” Dr. Veronico Agatep of FACLA said.
Supporters of Aquino said we should instead focus on the fact that he went back home with bountiful pasalubongs: about $ 2.3 billion in investment pledges for the Philippines.
As Balitang America reported on Friday, Aquino was said to have received these pledges from almost 20 companies during his trip to Europe.
In America, PNoy reportedly met with leasers of three companies interested in doing business in the Philippines.
Balitang America further reported that according to Aquino, these direct foreign investments may translate to 55,000 more jobs for Filipinos.
* * *
Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
- See more at: http://asianjournal.com/editorial/kababayans-react-to-pnoys-snubbing-of-the-fil-am-community/#sthash.shRp0PjC.dpuf
Fil-Am leaders upset PNoy chose burgers, guns over community
Fil-Am leaders upset PNoy chose burgers, guns over community
LOS ANGELES – President Benigno Aquino III is back home after his Europe and US working visits. But some Filipinos are not happy he chose to stop by a gun shop and a hamburger joint in San Francisco, instead of meeting the Fil-Am community.
“He was already there and he have time to visit a gun store to satisfy his hobby. He’s able to satisfy his stomach by going into In N’ Out but the community was never given any sense to be with the president,” Dr. Orlando Cagampan of Los Angeles said.
Aquino’s failure to meet with Fil-Ams has been met with criticism, especially in Los Angeles, home to the largest Filipino American population which was never part of his itinerary.
“At least, if there is one group that should complain about being snubbed it’s Los Angeles,” Arturo Garcia of the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) said.
While a few have had a chance to see Aquino in Los Angeles during a 2012 visit, FACLA has been trying to invite the President to visit the FACLA Hall, which is believed to be one of his father, Ninoy Aquino’s last public stops before his assassination.
“Inisip natin ng pangalan ito AMA na papalanganan itong FACLA Ninoy Aquino central ng Kalayaan or Ninoy Aquino freedom center Hindi na sagot ng email ko. Kung para dumaan sya sa lugar to,” Austin Baul, president of FACLA, said.
But with the President touting a productive trip, securing billions worth in pledges, some say it’s understandable if he wasn’t able to meet with the community during the five day working trip.
“The most important thing here is you have completed your mission. After your mission you should have time for your own personal thing also. Maybe go for a tour go visit a friend, relatives,” Dr. Veronico Agatep of FACLA said.
While these Filipino support some of the accomplishments of the President’s trip, they do wish he was more active in handling the maritime conflict with China.
****
FACLA FEEDING PROGRAM/FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR FILAMS ON SEPT. 27
New FACLA News
September 22, 2014
FACLA FEEDING PROGRAM/FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR FILAMS ON SEPT. 27
Los Angeles—”The feeding program and food distribution is back in FACLA”
The HIFI CALI EXPO LLC, Filipino Ministry of the Wilshire United Methodist Church of Wilshire ( FM-WUMC) and the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) announced today that therer will be a feeding program and food distribution on Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 11;00 AM to 12:00 Noon.
FACLA Director and Ms. FILAM INTERNATIONAL LLC President Bernie Targa-Ganon “ The feeding program has been one of the community services feature of FACLA since July 2014 and it is in this third month. We call all Fil-Am seniors and indigent needy families to avail of this feeding program.”
Pastor Rudy Somaling of FM-WUMC also said; “ we are not only involve on feeding the souls but also helping people to make their daily ends meet.”
Food Distribution Every Last Saturday of the Month
On the other hand FACLA President Jun Baul said, “we welcome this monthly community service activity of these organizations so they can help in feeding the Fil-Am seniors, veterans, widows and indigent families and distributing food to the families who need it.”
The Justice for Filipino American veterans (JFAV) MS FILAM INTRNATIONAL LLC and the Seniors for Filipino American Community Empowerment (S4PACE) supports this once a month endeavor and community service that is held in FACLA every last Saturday of very month.
For more information please call FACLA c/o Clarita Julian or Cording at or JFAV at email us
****
Presidential Junkets
Komunidad
September 21, 2014
Presidential Junket
By Arturo P. Garcia
It seems customary for every president of the Philippines since Ramos to have a presidential trip abroad including Europe and of course, theUnited States during their term of office.
The usual reason given for such official trip whose expenses is paid by the people is that the President is the best salesman for the country. Especially since Ramos time, tourism and foreign investments are the top dollar earner of the country.
With no nationalist industrialization and no industrial planning whatsoever, the Philippines unlike the BRICS that includes India.South Africa and Brazil and even the small nation-states like Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea that had a self-reliant economy. The Philippines rely on foreign investments, loans and exports to capitalist countries
at bargain prices.
The Philippines used to be the second strongest economy after Japan in the 1960’s. But with the advent of Marcos and his dictatorship, the Philippines since 1986 has been the breadbasket of Asia, 2nd only to Bangladesh at the bottom of the heap.
Thus, its has been customary for every President since General Fidel Ramos since 1992 to sell the Philippines to foreign investors, ask for loans and entice foreign investors to invest their money in the Philippines. And that is the reason why President BS Aquino III is on a presidential junket on the last leg of his presidency.
While in Spain he reasoned out that “the horrendous traffic’ in the Philippines is a sign of progress. And the former masters of the colonial Philippines applauded the fact.
As always, the presidential junket will make the United States as an itinerary on the President’s trip back to the Philippines. Sometimes it can be an official visit to the White House, a ‘business trip” just to meet and greet the president or a side trip to speak at the United Nations in New York.
The actor, President Joseph Estrada was the only Philippine president who was not able to make a lot of presidential trip abroad. That is because he was only served two and ½ years of his term when Estrada was deposed by People’s Power Revolution or EDSA Dos in 2001.
A side story and a funny one, when he went on an official visit to the United States, the Philippine Embassy was in a quandry because he brought some of his mistress along and it created a problem to the protocol officers on how to seat them at the official reception in the White House.
President BS Aquino’s trip to the United States from September 20 to 23 is being played as a sentimental one. He will visit their exile home in Boston before he goes to New York to speak in the UN Conference in Environmental concerns. The Aquino’s spend their time with the exiled Senator Ninoy Aquino Jr in Boston from 1980 to 1983.
Ninoy Aquino was a Harvard fellow and submitted a thesis that was made as a National Security Study Directive (NSSD) by the US State Department. When his visa was revoked by then president Reagan, he was forced to go back to the Philippines. There he was assassinated in August 21, 2893.
On the other hand, President BS Aquino III visit to Europe has a real business nature. At the same time he is gathering support for the Philippine claims in the contested areas in the South China Seas he renamed West Philippines Seas.
At the same time. he is enticing investments for Mindanao and his pet project, the newly created Bangsa Moro Political Entity or the MILF controlled Bangsa Moro Autonomous Region or the former ARMM. This also his main bragging rights to all his previous trip abroad.
But like other presidents, he will be met by protest by progressive overseas Filipinos led by political dissidents based in Europe especially in the Netherlands and in the United States.
The diaspora of more than 12 million overseas Filipinos abroad has created this group that has been since a vigilant watch dogs on the political situation in the homeland.
In the United States and even in Europe, President Aquino III still enjoys support from some in the overseas Filipino community. Especially among the elite and the conservative groups, they welcome with pride and jubilation.
On the end of the spectrum, among the most progressive ones, he will be met with protest rallies and brickbats
It is fun to watch how these different groups will react once the President arrives here in the United States on the week of Sept.20 to 25, 2014.
So let the fun begin!
*****
Historic Filipinotown Indie Film Festival Will Be Launched on October 15 at FACLA
NEW FACLA NEWS
September 16, 2014
Historic Filipinotown Indie Film Festival Will Be Launched on October 15 at FACLA
Los Angeles— “ Filipino Independent Films or Indie Films are Here in Town!”
The Historic Filipinotown Indie Film Festival LLC (HFIF LLC) announced today that the Historic Filipinotown Independent Film Festival that will feature Filipino and Filipino_American independently produced films from the Philippines be launched on Wednesday, at 6:00 in the evening of October 15, 2014 at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles Social Hall.
Ms. Aleli Abrigo Neal, leading producer of the HIFI LLC announced the soft launching of the Historic Filipinotown Indie Film Festival, the first of its kind to be launched in the Historic Filipinotown district since it was proclaimed by the city of Los Angeles in 2002
HIFI Indie Film Festival Launching
The formal launching of the Historic Filipinotown Indie Festival is slated on December 2014 at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA). Watch out for the next announcements from the HIFI Indie Film Festival LLC.
Aleli Neal also said, “This is the first step and an added milestone towards the cultural and political empowerment of the Filipino-American community in the United States. Many film festival have featured the Filipino films but usually these are subsumed or incorporated with API or Asian Film Festivals”
HF Indie Film Festival, a Community Milestone
JFAV Coordinator Arturo Garcia said, “ we hail this auspicious event because it is not only ambitious but also a step toward patronizing and a showcase the Filipino and Filipino-American Indie films produced in the Philippines.
Especially at the time that the Philippine based Film Industry have faltered during the last twenty years. The Philippines was one has a thriving film industry that produces 200 films a year and have a lot of studios.”
Garcia also said, “But at the present time, we count with our two fingers the number of studios and less than 20 films are produced every year A big let down for our local film industry that was once an envy of Asia.
This is aggravated by the incursion and aggressive advertising of Hollywood Films, the influx and popularity of Korean and K-Pop films ,high cost of productions in filming and lack of government subsidy and support as well as other factors.” Garcia added.
Indie Films, A saving grace
HFIF LLC Ms. Neal pointed out, “ On the other hand, the Indie Film productions in the Philippines is the saving grace of the film industry and have continued to reap awards in International Indie Film Awards.
Filipino Indie Film makers,directors and artist have made a strong impact on international awards events from the Cannes and different venues all over the world. Some of these fils will be shown at the Historic Filipinotown Indie Festival this coming December 2014.
Indeed the Filipino Indie Films is the saving grace of the once mighty and proud Filipino cinema industry.” Neal ended.
For more information about the coming HIFI INDIE FILM FESTIVAL LLC please call Ms. Aleli Neal at or email us at [email protected]
****
LAPWC INSTALLS NEW OFFICERS F0R 2014-15, SEPT 14 IN LA
EPCC NEWS
September 15, 2014
LAPWC INSTALLS NEW OFFICERS F0R 2014-15, SEPT 14 IN LA
Los Angeles –‘ The LAPWC has a historical role to fulfill in its philothrohical mission to help our less fortunate kababayans in the Philippines and in the United States “
This was the message of the incoming president Mrs. Amelia Arichea to the scores of new members and the incoming executive officers of the Los Angeles Philippine Women’s Club (LAPWC) on its 54th year. at the St. ColumbanChurch last Saturday, September 14.
Mrs. Arichea reported to the crowd, the civic works of the LAPWC in disaster relief to the victims of Thypoon Haiyan in Leyte, Philippines last 2013 and other civic work that the LAPWC have accomplished.
Historic Mission.
The LAPWC was organized in the state of California on Feb 1, 1961 as a philanthropic organization and was incorporated o n September 01,1961. It was admitted to the California Federation of Women’s Club and General Federation of Women’s Club International on May 18, 1961.
They new set of officers was installed by Mrs. Joanne Witt and the new members were inducted by Mrs. Luz Espina, membership director and eight-time president of the LAPWC.
On the other hand, the affair was opened by an invocation of Fr. John Brannigan. Miss Linda Jones, Vice president for 2014-15, delivered the closing remarks.
For more information please call Rosalie Caratao at or visit our website at newfacla.org
****
SAN CARLOS BISHOP GERRY ALMARIZA VISITS SCALA IN LA, SEPT.11
EPCCNEWS
September 12, 2014
SAN CARLOS BISHOP GERRY ALMARIZA VISITS SCALA IN LA, SEPT.11
Los Angeles—“ The pastor visits his flock in Los Angeles.”
The San Carlos Association of Los Angeles (SCALA) gave San Carlos City Bishop Msgr. Gerry Almariza a warm reception and dinner at Kapistahan Grill last Thursday, September 11, 2014.
Scores of SCALA officer and members led by present president Danny Salvador and former SCALA President Dr.Marc Caratao.
They were assisted by SCALA stalwarts Doris Fabella. Viviane and Romulo Orduyo, Mel Enceso from Rancho Cucumonga ,Perla Reyes of MOTHER Movement and Edwina Margana.
Dinner Reception at Kapistahan
They also hosted the dinner after Dr, Caratao and JFAV Coordinator Arturo Garcia toured the Bishop to some points of interests at Historic Filipinotown.
Msgr. Gerry Almariza was ordained as the bishop of the Archdiocese of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental in 2008.
The SCALA was formed in 1992 and has been seen the only active provincial organization from this province in Los Angeles. It will celebrate The San Carlos City town fiesta on November 08, 2014 in Los Angeles.
For more information please call Marc at or visit our website at newfacla.org
****
Follow New FACLA on Twitter
Be Our Fan on Facebook